Degree Programs at Murray State University
Murray State University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs For In-State Students.
Featured Programs
Undergraduates at Murray State University can select from among 292 programs and tracks, which is a staggering amount for even the largest universities. That Murray State University is capable of providing this much diversity in education at its size is a testament to the university’s commitment to being exceptional.
These programs are divided between six schools that operate under the heading of Murray State University:
- Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business
- Hutson School of Agriculture
- Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology
- College of Humanities and Fine Arts
- School of Nursing and Health Professions
- College of Education and Human Services
One of the representative degrees for undergraduates is the Bachelor of Music in Performance. It requires students to take about 120 credit hours of instruction, based upon the instrument of choice, and many of the courses require at least a C average no matter the student’s overall GPA. Those classes include Theory I, Theory II, and the student’s applied lessons.
At the graduate level, the number of study possibilities is much smaller than on the undergraduate level, but it’s still quite diverse. Many certificates are available, particularly for Kentucky teachers. The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is representative of the mid-level graduate work at Murray State University. Students may choose either the thesis track or the nonthesis track. In the fall of 2019, all graduate programs at Murray State University became five semesters long, with students studying at least one summer during their tenure. Graduate-level courses are largely student-driven, and students are expected to problem-solve and handle their own issues with a minimum of faculty guidance.
The most advanced students may pursue doctorates in a handful of subjects. The Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy and Technology also includes five areas of specialization, each based upon a different segment of the practice of teaching English. As with most other doctoral programs, students will have to complete coursework, fieldwork, and a dissertation.
Online programs are available for about a dozen programs at each level of study at Murray State University.
About Murray State University
The Murray State Normal School began instructing teachers in Kentucky in 1922 after a series of personal grants that totaled $117,000, a veritable king’s ransom in the 1920s. Unlike many universities that began their existence during this time, Murray State University had more than 200 students registered when the doors opened in stark contrast to the handfuls of students in basements and barns at other places.
Over the years, Murray State University has grown to its present enrollment of about 10,000 students in all disciplines. U.S. News and World Report considers the school to be a great value, ranking it 48th as a “Best Value School.”
Murray State University Accreditation Details
For its regional accreditation, Murray State University falls under the purview of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Many of the departments at the university also hold academic accreditation from different organizations, including the:
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Association of Schools of Theatre
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Council on Social Work Education
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
Murray State University Application Requirements
All students must submit all relevant academic transcripts. They may send unofficial transcripts during the application process, but they must have the school send the official transcripts after acceptance. Students must take either the ACT or the SAT and have the applicable testing agency send the results. Students may also take both if they wish. Students may have either a high-school diploma or a GED to be considered for admittance.
Each graduate program has its own set of requirements. Some of those requirements are fairly standard, such a having a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, transcripts, letters of reference, statements of purpose, and the like. Other graduate programs require one of the three graduate tests: the Graduate Management Admission Test, the Graduate Record Examinations, or the Miller Analogies Test. Students should check the applicable sections of the website for further details.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Kentucky residents pay $9,168 for the full year. Because of the reciprocity agreement between Tennessee and Kentucky, Tennessee residents only pay $9,696 per year. Six states receive a regional rate of $10,860 per year. The rest of the country pays $13,920 annually.
Graduate tuition is charged by the credit hour at both levels, and the rate ranged from about $500 to about $900. Online tuition rates are similar.
Room costs for the nine residence halls range from $2,467 to $4,662 per semester. The meal plans all cost about $2,000 per semester, and each offers various exchange plans for restaurants on campus.
Students applying for financial aid begin with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The government and the school will use the form to decide how much need-based financial aid each student will receive. Students may also apply for private aid, which usually comes from private foundations, neighborhood credit unions, and the like. All private aid awarded will be considered assets when determining the amount of need-based aid to be given.
Murray State University is coming up on its centenary, and its growth and excellence look to be Kentucky fixtures for some time to come.
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